HELISIM

What HELISIM does

HELISIM is a French helicopter flight simulation training provider founded in 2000, operating from a primary facility in Marignane adjacent to Airbus Helicopters' headquarters and a North American subsidiary (Helisim LLC) in Grand Prairie, Texas, opened in January 2019. The company delivers simulator-based pilot training on Airbus Helicopters medium and large twin-engine platforms, operating eight Level D Full Flight Simulators (H175, H160, AS365 N2, H155, AS332 L1/L2, H225, NH90) and three Flight Training Devices. Training services span type ratings (EASA, FAA, and other CAAs), recurrent emergency and IFR training, and mission-specific courses including search and rescue, NVG, offshore oil and gas, EMS, tactical, and mountain flight. Roughly 3,000 pilots are trained annually across 150+ customers, generating 11,000 simulated flight hours per year.

HELISIM's technology stack is built on OEM Airbus Helicopters Full Data packages paired with Thales Reality H series visual systems, six-degrees-of-freedom motion platforms, three-axis floor shakers, and a high-detail visual database with weather conditions, brown-out, and 3D sea-state effects. The simulators hold Level D qualification under both EASA and FAA Part 60 regulations, with multi-authority accreditations from DGAC France, CAA UK, and ANAC Brazil. HELISIM is uniquely described as the only EASA-approved helicopter simulation center whose qualifications last three years rather than the standard shorter cycle.

HELISIM is structured as a consortium (Société par Actions Simplifiées) owned by Airbus Helicopters (47%), Thales AVS (47%), and Défense Conseil International (6%). Revenue is generated through professional services — simulator training with instructors (wet), dry leasing of simulators to operators running their own instructors, and ancillary support (logistics, accommodation, visa, transportation). Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts; no public pricing is disclosed. Customers span five verticals: offshore oil and gas, military, public services (HEMS/SAR/law enforcement), VIP/corporate aviation, and civilian aviation. The Texas center was established with a $40 million initial investment and houses an AS350 FFS, EC135/EC145 FTD, and the first North American Level D H145 FFS, with planned H175 and H160 simulators.

Name

HELISIM

Legal name

Helisim, Société par Actions Simplifiées

Website

https://helisim.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HELISIM is a French helicopter flight simulator training provider that operates Level D Full Flight Simulators for Airbus Helicopters platforms (H175, H160, H225, NH90, and others) at its Marignane, France headquarters and Grand Prairie, Texas subsidiary, serving 150+ operators across military, offshore, HEMS, and civilian aviation segments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Flight Simulation Training

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN)

Keywords

• Flight simulator training
• Helicopter pilot training
• Full flight simulator
• Type rating training
• Flight training device

Headquarters

HQ city

Marignane

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Flight Simulator Training Services: Revenue generated from providing simulator-based pilot training on various helicopter types including recurrent training, emergency procedures, IFR training, and mission-specific courses
2. Type Rating Training: Type rating courses associated with Airbus Helicopters ATOs for delivering EASA, FAA, and other CAA type ratings
3. Dry Leasing: Simulator usage without Helisim flight instructor, allowing operators to use their own instructors, procedures, and standards
4. Support Services: Customer support for logistics including accommodation booking, visa assistance, transportation, and lunch arrangements

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HELISIM provides helicopter flight simulator training services for Airbus Helicopters medium and large twin-engine aircraft (H175, H160, AS365 N2, H155, AS332 L1/L2, H225, NH90) using eight Level D Full Flight Simulators and three Flight Training Devices. Customers — including military forces, public services, offshore oil & gas operators, and corporate/VIP aviation operators — contract for type rating, recurrent emergency, IFR, SAR, NVG, EMS, and offshore mission courses, as well as dry-leasing of simulator hours.

Product overview

HELISIM is a helicopter flight simulation center providing Full Flight Simulators (FFS) and Flight Training Devices (FTD) for Airbus Helicopters medium and large twin-engine helicopters. The company operates eight helicopter cockpits with Level D qualified Full Flight Simulators (H175, H160, AS365 N2, H155, AS332 L1/L2, H225, NH90) and three cockpits with Flight Training Devices. HELISIM is a consortium owned by Airbus Helicopters (47%), Thales AVS (47%), and Défense Conseil International (6%), located adjacent to Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane, France. The company also operates Helisim LLC in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Beyond hardware simulators, HELISIM offers comprehensive training services including Type Rating, Recurrent Emergency/IFR, and specialized mission training courses (SAR, NVG, Offshore, EMS, VIP, Tactical Flight, Mountain Flight, Ship Board Operations).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level D Full Flight Simulator Training Recurrent and mission-specific helicopter simulator training delivered on eight Level D Full Flight Simulators (H175, H160, AS365 N2, H155, AS332 L1, AS332 L2, H225, NH90) for military, public services, offshore oil & gas, corporate and civilian operators; allows pilots to be trained to the full flight envelope including emergency situations.
• Type Rating Training Airbus Helicopters type rating courses delivered in association with Airbus Helicopters ATOs for EASA, FAA and other CAA certifications, covering helicopters such as H225, H175, H160, AS332 L1/L2 and AS365 N2.
• Recurrent Emergency Training EASA PART OPS compliant course that lets pilots review normal and emergency procedures and prepare mandatory Operator Proficiency Check (OPC) and Line Oriented Flight Training (LOFT / LPC) checks on Level D Full Flight Simulators.
• Recurrent IFR Training Instrument flight training for practicing airport instrument approaches in adverse conditions, including GPS performance-based navigation on PBN-capable aircraft (H225, H175, H160); FAA Recurrent Training also covered.
• Search and Rescue (SAR) Training SAR techniques and procedures training using realistic scenarios by day and night, aided or unaided with NVG, onshore or offshore.
• Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Training NVG techniques course for military, police forces and HEMS operators using 3rd-generation NVG equipment; includes Initial and Advanced NVG courses.
• Offshore Oil and Gas Training Specialized training for offshore oil companies and energy operators conducting helicopter transport operations to platforms.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Emergency Medical Services training including landings on hospital helipads and operations in mountains, urban or confined areas.
• Dry Leasing of Simulators Simulator usage without HELISIM flight instructor, allowing operators to use their own instructors, procedures, standards and language.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saves 8800 tons of CO2 emissions through simulated flight hours vs actual helicopter flights
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Airbus Helicopters Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership to establish Helisim LLC training center at Airbus Helicopters Inc.'s North American headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas. Initial $40 million investment for state-of-the-art simulation center.
• Airbus Helicopters (H160 FFS Deployment)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 March 2018Airbus Helicopters partnered with Thales and Helisim to develop and deploy the full flight simulator for the new H160 helicopter. First FFS to be installed at Helisim center in Marignane, with additional simulators deployed worldwide.
• Thales (H160 FFS)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 7 March 2018Thales provides Reality H series technology for H160 full flight simulator deployment. Partnership with Airbus Helicopters and Helisim for worldwide H160 FFS deployment.
• Airbus HelicoptersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000Airbus Helicopters holds 47% stake in Helisim consortium. Provides OEM Full Data packages for simulators and serves as primary helicopter platform partner. Joint venture formed to operate simulation center near Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane, France.
• Thales AVSflagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2000Thales AVS holds 47% stake in Helisim consortium as simulator manufacturer. Provides Thales Reality H series simulator technology. Partnered for H160 full flight simulator development and deployment worldwide.
• Défense Conseil International (DCI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2000DCI holds 6% stake in Helisim consortium. Specializes in operational Armed Forces training, bringing military training expertise to the consortium.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• FlightSafety International: Berkshire Hathaway-owned pilot training organization with a global network of learning centers and simulators. Offers helicopter type rating and recurrent training programs and is a primary direct competitor to HELISIM in the higher-end commercial and helicopter training market.
• CAE Inc. Global leader in flight simulation manufacturing and pilot training services across civil and rotary-wing aviation. Operates the world's largest training network with significant helicopter coverage; directly comparable to HELISIM but at much larger scale across multiple aircraft OEMs.

Direct peers

• TRU Simulation + Training (Textron): Helicopter and fixed-wing simulator manufacturer owned by Textron Aviation. Designs and builds Level D FFS for helicopters including Bell platforms and provides integrated training solutions, making it a direct equipment and training competitor to HELISIM in the helicopter segment.
• Reiser Simulation and Training: German manufacturer of full flight simulators and training devices, with specific expertise in helicopter simulation for platforms including Airbus Helicopters types. Competes with HELISIM's Thales Reality H-based offering for third-party simulator sales and operator training services.

Emerging players

• Frasca International: U.S.-based flight simulation manufacturer specializing in general aviation and helicopter FTDs/FFSs. Smaller scale than HELISIM but offers competing training devices to flight schools and operator training programs in similar verticals (utility, HEMS, law enforcement).
• Ryan Aerospace: Australia-based helicopter simulator manufacturer offering cost-effective FTD and lower-level training devices. Targets the cost-sensitive end of the helicopter training market where HELISIM does not focus, but represents a technological alternative for procedural and recurrent training that could erode HELISIM's lower-margin courses over time.

Others

• Sim-Industries: Online marketplace and community platform for professional flight simulation training devices, primarily fixed-wing but with helicopter offerings. Represents an alternative procurement channel for low-end procedural training that could divert entry-level course demand from HELISIM.
• European Helicopter Pilots Association: European industry association for helicopter operators that channels training standards, regulatory engagement, and member services. Not a direct training competitor but represents an ecosystem participant that influences pilot certification demand and training market structure for HELISIM.

Regional players

• PHI Aviation Training: U.S.-based helicopter operator with comprehensive pilot training academy focused on offshore and utility operations. Competes with Helisim LLC's North American center for OGP and commercial helicopter pilot training customers in the Gulf of Mexico and broader U.S. market.
• Bristow Helicopters Training: Major global helicopter operator with substantial in-house pilot training capabilities for offshore and SAR operations. Competes with HELISIM for the same OGP and SAR training wallet, particularly for operators that prefer to keep training in-house rather than outsourcing to a third party.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HelisimLLC
• Facebookfacebook.com/helisim.helicopter.simulator
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helisim

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HELISIM